2019 in spaceflight

2019 in spaceflight
Yutu-2 rover on the far side of the Moon
A Crew Dragon capsule approaches the International Space Station
LightSail 2 in flight above Earth
A boilerplate Orion spacecraft launching from Spaceport Florida LC-46
Highlights from spaceflight in 2019[a]
Orbital launches
First10 January
Last27 December
Total102
Successes97
Failures5
Catalogued97
National firsts
Spaceflight
Satellite
Space traveller
Rockets
Maiden flights
Retirements
Crewed flights
Orbital3
Suborbital1 (private)
Total travellers12 (3 suborbital)
EVAs11
2019 in spaceflight
← 2018
2020 →

This article documents notable spaceflight events during the year 2019.

Overview

[edit]

Astronomy and astrophysics

[edit]

The Russian-German X-ray observing satellite Spektr-RG was launched on 13 July.

Lunar exploration

[edit]

The Chinese probe Chang'e 4 made humanity's first soft landing on the far side of the Moon on 3 January and released its Yutu 2 rover to explore the lunar surface on the far side for the first time in human history.

The first panorama from the far side of the Moon, captured by Chang'e 4 lander

Israel's SpaceIL, one of the participants in the expired Google Lunar X Prize,[1] launched the first private mission to the Moon in February. The Beresheet lander from SpaceIL made the landing attempt in April, but crashed onto the Moon.[2] India launched the delayed Chandrayaan-2 lunar orbiter/lander/rover in July; the orbiter reached lunar orbit in September, but the Vikram lander crashed onto the lunar surface.[3]

Exploration of the Solar System

[edit]

The probe New Horizons encountered the Kuiper belt object 486958 Arrokoth on 1 January. This is the farthest object from the Sun ever to have a close encounter with a spacecraft.[4] The Japanese asteroid exploration mission Hayabusa2 made a second touchdown with 162173 Ryugu to collect samples,[5] and departed for Earth on 12 November.[6] NASA declared the Mars rover Opportunity's mission over on 13 February.[7] The InSight lander observed the first recorded Marsquake in April.[8]

Human spaceflight

[edit]

The first Commercial Crew Development test missions flew this year, aiming to restore United States human spaceflight capability following Space Shuttle retirement in 2011. In an uncrewed test flight, SpaceX SpaceX Dragon 2 successfully flew on a Falcon 9 to the International Space Station on 3 March 2019; the crewed mission was delayed when the recovered capsule exploded during testing on 20 April.[9] Boeing's CST-100 Starliner launched a similar uncrewed test flight on an Atlas V on 20 December, but an anomaly during launch meant that it could not reach the ISS and had to land only 2 days later.[10]

Rocket innovation

[edit]

At the beginning of the year, around 100 small satellite launchers were in active use, in development, or were recently cancelled or stalled.[11] Three Chinese manufacturers launched their first orbital rocket in 2019: The maiden flight of OS-M1 in March failed to reach orbit,[12] the maiden flights of Hyperbola-1 in July[13] and of Jielong 1 in August[14] were successful. The PSLV-DL and PSLV-QL variants of the Indian PSLV first flew in January and April respectively.

SpaceX began testing of the SpaceX Starship in 2019, with an uncrewed prototype "Starhopper" flying 150m in the air in a suborbital test flight on 27 August.[15] The heavy-lift Long March 5 made its return to flight in December, more than two years after the July 2017 launch failure that grounded the vehicle and forced an engine redesign.[16]

The "single stick" Delta IV was retired in August,[17] and the analog-controlled Soyuz-FG was retired in September.[18] Due to Ukraine banning control system exports to Russia, Rokot was retired after a final flight in December.[19]

Orbital launches

[edit]
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload
(⚀ = CubeSat)
Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks

January

[edit]
10 January
17:05[20]
China Long March 3B/E 3B-Y56[21] China Xichang LC-2 China CASC
China Chinasat 2D CNSA Geosynchronous Communications In orbit Operational
11 January
15:31[22]
United States Falcon 9 Block 5 F9-067 United States Vandenberg SLC-4E United States SpaceX
United States Iridium NEXT 66–75 Iridium Low Earth Communications In orbit Operational
15 January[23][24] Iran Simorgh Iran Semnan LP-2 Iran ISA
Iran Payam-e Amirkabir / AUTSAT 1[25] Amirkabir University of Technology Low Earth Earth observation 15 January Launch failure
Third stage malfunctioned, satellite failed to reach orbit.[23]
18 January
00:50:20[26]
Japan Epsilon Epsilon-4[27] Japan Uchinoura Japan JAXA
Japan RAPIS-1 JAXA Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbit Successful
Japan ALE-1 / ALE-DOM Astro Live Experiences Low Earth (SSO) Artificial meteor shower ALE-1: In orbit[28]
ALE-DOM: 3 August 2022[29]
Payload failure[30]
Japan Hodoyoshi-2 (RISESAT) Tohoku University Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation 14 March 2023[31] Successful
Vietnam MicroDragon[32] VNSC Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration 1 October 2024[33] Operational
Singapore / Japan AOBA-VELOX 4 Nanyang Technological University, Kyutech Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration 24 March 2023[34] Successful
Japan NEXUS Nihon University Low Earth (SSO) Amateur radio 9 November 2023[35] Successful
Japan OrigamiSat-1 Tokyo Institute of Technology Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration 30 April 2022[36] Successful
Launch of the Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-1 mission.
19 January
19:05[37]
United States Delta IV Heavy D-382 United States Vandenberg SLC-6 United States ULA
United States KH-11 17 (USA-290) NRO Low Earth Reconnaissance In orbit Operational
NROL-71 mission.
21 January
05:42[38]
China Long March 11 Y6[39] China Jiuquan LS-95A China CASC
China Jilin-1 Hyperspectral-01 (Jilin Lincao 1)[40] Chang Guang Satellite Technology Low Earth Earth observation In orbit Operational
China Jilin-1 Hyperspectral-02 (Wenchang Chaosun 1) Chang Guang Satellite Technology Low Earth Earth observation In orbit Operational
China Xiaoxiang 1-03[41] Tianyi Research Institute Low Earth Technology demonstration 14 June 2022[42] Successful
China Lingque 1A[43] Beijing ZeroG Technology Low Earth Earth observation 14 June 2022[44] Successful
24 January
18:07[45]
India PSLV-DL C44[46] India Satish Dhawan FLP India ISRO
India Microsat-R DRDO Low Earth Earth observation
ASAT target
27 March Destroyed[47]
India Kalamsat[46] Space Kidz India[49] Low Earth HAM Radio[49] 22 December 2023[48] Successful
Maiden flight of PSLV-DL. Microsat-R served as target for Indian ASAT experiment on 27 March 2019.

February

[edit]
5 February[50][51] Iran Safir-1B[52] Iran Semnan LP-1 Iran ISA
Iran Dousti Sharif University of Technology Low Earth Communications, Remote sensing 5 February Launch failure[53][54]
5 February
21:01[55]
Europe Ariane 5 ECA VA247 France Kourou ELA-3 France Arianespace
Greece Hellas Sat 4 / Saudi Arabia SaudiGeoSat-1 Hellas-Sat / ArabSat Geosynchronous Communications In orbit Operational
India GSAT-31[56] ISRO Geosynchronous Communications In orbit Operational
21 February
16:47[57]
Russia Soyuz-2.1b / Fregat-M Kazakhstan Baikonur Site 31/6 Russia Roscosmos
Egypt EgyptSat A NARSS Low Earth Earth observation In orbit Operational
Third stage anomaly but achieved orbit in contingency mode
22 February
01:45[59]
United States Falcon 9 Block 5 F9-068 United States Cape Canaveral SLC-40 United States SpaceX
Indonesia Nusantara Satu PSN Geosynchronous Communications In orbit Operational
Israel Beresheet[60][61] SpaceIL Moon transfer Lunar lander 11 April Landing failure
United States S5[62] AFRL Geosynchronous Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
Beresheet raised its orbit towards the Moon from a supersynchronous transfer orbit with 60,000 km apogee.[58]
27 February
21:37[63]
Russia Soyuz ST-B / Fregat-M VS21 France Kourou ELS France Arianespace
United Kingdom OneWeb × 6 OneWeb Low Earth Communications In orbit Operational[64]
First flight for OneWeb satellite constellation. Kourou flight 1.

March

[edit]
2 March
07:49:03[65]
United States Falcon 9 Block 5 F9-069 United States Kennedy LC-39A United States SpaceX
United States SpX-DM1 SpaceX / NASA Low Earth (ISS) Flight test / ISS logistics 8 March Successful
Crew Dragon Demo 1: Test of the SpaceX Dragon 2 as part of Commercial Crew Development program.
9 March
17:28[67]
China Long March 3B/E 3B-Y54[21] China Xichang LC-2 China CASC
China Chinasat 6C (Zhongxing 6C)[68] China Satcom Geosynchronous Communications In orbit Operational
300th launch of the Long March rocket family.[66]
14 March
19:14:09[69]
Russia Soyuz-FG Kazakhstan Baikonur Site 1/5 Russia Roscosmos
Russia Soyuz MS-12 / 58S Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) Expedition 59/60 3 October
10:59
Successful
Crewed flight with three cosmonauts.
16 March
00:26[71]
United States Delta IV M+(5,4) D-383 United States Cape Canaveral SLC-37B United States ULA
United States WGS-10 (USA-291) U.S. Air Force Geosynchronous Communications In orbit Operational
Last flight of Delta IV M+ (5,4) variant[70]
22 March
01:50:35[72]
Europe Vega VV14 France Kourou ELV France Arianespace
Italy PRISMA Italian Space Agency Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbit Operational
600th satellite orbited by Arianespace[72]
27 March
09:39[73]
China OS-M1 China Jiuquan LS-95B China OneSpace
China Lingque 1B Beijing ZeroG Technology Low Earth Earth observation 27 March Launch failure
Maiden flight of OS-M1 rocket.
28 March
23:27[74]
United States Electron "Two Thumbs Up" New Zealand Mahia LC-1A United States Rocket Lab
United States R3D2[75] DARPA Low Earth Technology demonstration 23 May 2021
10:00[76]
Successful
31 March
15:50[77]
China Long March 3B/E 3B-Y44[78] China Xichang LC-2 China CASC
China Tianlian 2-01 CNSA Geosynchronous Communications (tracking and relay) In orbit Operational

April

[edit]
1 April
03:57[79]
India PSLV-QL C45[46] India Satish Dhawan SLP India ISRO
India EMISAT ISRO Low Earth ELINT[80] In orbit Operational
Spain Aistechsat-3 GomSpace Low Earth Communications, Traffic monitoring In orbit Operational
Switzerland Astrocast 0.2 Astrocast SA Low Earth Communications 19 November 2023[81] Successful
Lithuania BlueWalker 1[82] AST & Science Low Earth Test flight 29 November 2023[83] Successful
United States Flock-4a × 20[84] Planet Labs Low Earth Earth observation First: 14 March 2023[85]
Last: 8 August 2023[86]
Successful
United States Lemur-2 × 4 Spire Global Low Earth Earth observation First: 7 March 2023[87]
Last: 30 June 2023[88]
Successful
Lithuania M6P SpaceWorks Orbital / Lacuna Space Low Earth Communications 20 July 2023[89] Successful
Maiden flight of PSLV-QL
4 April
11:01:35[90]
Russia Soyuz-2.1a Kazakhstan Baikonur Site 31/6 Russia Roscosmos
Russia Progress MS-11 / 72P Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics 29 July Successful
4 April
17:03[91]
Russia Soyuz ST-B / Fregat-MT VS22 France Kourou ELS France Arianespace
Luxembourg O3b × 4 (FM17–FM20) SES S.A. Medium Earth Communications In orbit Operational
11 April
22:35[92]
United States Falcon Heavy FH-002 United States Kennedy LC-39A United States SpaceX
Saudi Arabia Arabsat-6A[93] ArabSat Geosynchronous Communications In orbit Operational
17 April
20:46[99]
United States Antares 230 United States MARS LP-0A United States Northrop Grumman
United States Cygnus NG-11
S.S. Roger Chaffee
NASA Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics 6 December Successful
United States AeroCube-10 × 2 The Aerospace Corporation Low Earth Technology demonstration 10A: 4 May 2023[100]
10B: 15 May 2023[101]
Successful
France EntrySat ISAE-SUPAERO / ONERA Low Earth Technology demonstration 10 August 2021[102] Successful
United Kingdom IOD-1 GEMS[103] Orbital Micro Systems Low Earth Technology demonstration / Meteorology 3 April 2021
14:11[104]
Successful
Poland KRAKsat AGH University of Science and Technology / Jagiellonian University Low Earth Technology demonstration 17 January 2022[105] Spacecraft failure[106]
Nepal NepaliSat-1 KyuTech / NAST Low Earth Technology demonstration 4 October 2021[107] Successful
United States Quantum-Radar 3[108] SEOPS Low Earth Satellite laser ranging 7 March 2023[109] Successful
Sri Lanka Raavana 1 ACCIMT Low Earth Technology demonstration 3 October 2021[110] Successful
United States SASSI2 University of Illinois / Purdue University Low Earth Technology demonstration / Education 28 April[111] Spacecraft failure[112]
United States Seeker NASA Low Earth Technology demonstration In orbit Successful
Singapore SpooQy-1 NUS / SSTA Low Earth Technology demonstration 16 October 2021[113] Successful[114]
Poland Swiatowid SatRevolution Low Earth Technology demonstration / Earth observation 14 March 2021[115] Successful
United States ThinSat × 60 Virginia Space Low Earth Technology demonstration / Education 28 April[111] Successful (49/60 ThinSats)[116]
Japan Uguisu KyuTech Low Earth Technology demonstration 7 October 2021[117] Successful
United States VCC A (Aeternitas) Virginia Space Grant Consortium Low Earth Technology demonstration 18 October 2021[118] Spacecraft failure
United States VCC B (Libertas) Virginia Space Grant Consortium Low Earth Technology demonstration 13 October 2021[119] Spacecraft failure
United States VCC C (Ceres) Virginia Space Grant Consortium Low Earth Technology demonstration 15 May 2021[120] Spacecraft failure
SASSI2 and the 60 ThinSats were secondary payloads carried aboard the Antares upper stage booster.[94] EntrySat, IOD-1, KRAKsat, Swiatowid, Virginia CubeSat Constellation (VCC), Uguisu, Raavana 1, NepaliSat-1, and SpooQy-1 were carried in Cygnus and later deployed from the ISS. The AeroCubes and Seeker were carried in the unpressurized compartment of Cygnus, and deployed from Cygnus after its departure from the ISS. Uguisu, Raavana 1, NepaliSat-1, and SpooQy-1 were deployed into orbit from the ISS on 17 June 2019. IOD-1 GEMS, KRAKsat, Swiatowid, EntrySat, and three VCC satellites were deployed into orbit on 3 July 2019. NepaliSat-1 is the first Nepalese satellite and Raavana 1 is the first Sri Lankan satellite. On the departure of Cygnus NG-11 from the ISS, SlingShot Deployer—carrying Quantum Radar, NARSSCube-2, RFTSat, and ORCA—was placed on its hatch bulkhead.[95] Those CubeSats and also AeroCube-10 were deployed into orbit from Cygnus on 7 August 2019.[96] The VCC satellites were unresponsive to attempts to contact them following their deployment.[97][98]
20 April
14:41[121]
China Long March 3B/E 3B-Y59[21] China Xichang LC-3 China CASC
China BeiDou-3 I1Q (Beidou-44) CNSA IGSO Navigation In orbit Operational
29 April
22:52[122]
China Long March 4B 4B-Y36[123] China Taiyuan LC-9 China CASC
China Tianhui 2-01A CNSA Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbit Operational
China Tianhui 2-01B CNSA Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbit Operational

May

[edit]
4 May
06:48[125]
United States Falcon 9 Block 5 F9-070 United States Cape Canaveral SLC-40 United States SpaceX
United States SpaceX CRS-17 NASA Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics 3 June Successful
United States Red-Eye 1 (Pinot)[126] DARPA Low Earth Technology demonstration 24 July 2022[127] Successful
Red-Eye 1 was carried in CRS-17, and deployed into orbit from the ISS on 27 June 2019.[124]
5 May
06:00[128]
United States Electron "That's a Funny Looking Cactus" New Zealand Mahia LC-1A United States Rocket Lab
United States Harbinger (ICEYE X3) U.S. Air Force Low Earth Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
United States Falcon ODE U.S. Air Force Low Earth Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
United States SPARC-1 U.S. Air Force Low Earth Technology demonstration 26 June 2023[129] Successful
17 May
15:48[130]
China Long March 3C/E 3C-Y16[21] China Xichang LC-2 China CASC
China BeiDou-2 G8 (Beidou-45) CNSA Geosynchronous Navigation In orbit Operational
22 May
00:00[131]
India PSLV-CA C46[46] India Satish Dhawan FLP India ISRO
India RISAT-2B ISRO Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation (radar) In orbit Operational
22 May
22:49[132]
China Long March 4C 4C-Y23[133] China Taiyuan LC-9 China CASC
China Yaogan 33 CAS Low Earth Reconnaissance 22 May Launch failure
24 May
02:30[134]
United States Falcon 9 Block 5 F9-071 United States Cape Canaveral SLC-40 United States SpaceX
United States Starlink × 60 SpaceX Low Earth Communications First: 20 February 2020
Last: 24 October 2022[135]
Successful
Starlink test mission, launching 60 Starlink v0.9 experimental satellites.
27 May
06:23[136]
Russia Soyuz-2.1b / Fregat-M Russia Plesetsk Site 43/4 Russia RVSN RF
Russia GLONASS-M 758 VKS Medium Earth Navigation In orbit Operational
30 May
17:42[137]
Russia Proton-M / Briz-M P4 Kazakhstan Baikonur Site 200/39 Russia Roscosmos
Russia Yamal-601 Gazprom Space Systems Geosynchronous Communications In orbit Operational

June

[edit]
5 June
04:06[138]
China Long March 11H China Yellow Sea Launch Platform[139] China CASC
China Bufeng-1A CAST Low Earth Earth observation In orbit Operational
China Bufeng-1B CAST Low Earth Earth observation In orbit Operational
China Jilin-1 Gaofen-03A Chang Guang Satellite Technology Low Earth Earth observation In orbit Operational
China Tianxiang-1A CETC Low Earth Technology demonstration
Communications
In orbit Operational
China Tianxiang-1B CETC Low Earth Technology demonstration
Communications
In orbit Operational
China Tianqi-3 (Tao Xingzhi)[140] Guodian Gaoke Low Earth Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
China Xiaoxiang 1-04 Tianyi Research Institute Low Earth Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
China's first sea launch in the Yellow Sea off Shandong.
12 June
14:17[141]
United States Falcon 9 Block 5 F9-072 United States Vandenberg SLC-4E United States SpaceX
Canada RADARSAT Constellation × 3[142][143] Canadian Space Agency Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbit Operational
20 June
21:43[144]
Europe Ariane 5 ECA VA248 France Kourou ELA-3 France Arianespace
France Eutelsat 7C[145] Eutelsat Geosynchronous Communications In orbit Operational
United States AT&T T-16 DirecTV Geosynchronous Satellite television In orbit Operational
24 June
18:09[146]
China Long March 3B/E 3B-Y60[21] China Xichang LC-3 China CASC
China BeiDou-3 I2Q (Beidou-46)[147] CNSA IGSO Navigation In orbit Operational
25 June
06:30[148]
United States Falcon Heavy FH-003 United States Kennedy LC-39A United States SpaceX
United States STP-2 U.S. Air Force Low Earth, Medium Earth[149] Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
United States DSX AFRL Medium Earth Technology demonstration In orbit Successful[150]
United States Taiwan COSMIC-2 × 6 NOAA / NSPO Low Earth Atmospheric In orbit Operational
United States GPIM NASA Low Earth Technology demonstration 14 October 2020[151] Successful
United States NPSAT1 NRL Low Earth Atmospheric In orbit Operational
United States Oculus-ASR Michigan Technological University Low Earth Technology demonstration 23 February 2023[152] Successful
United States OTB General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems Low Earth Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
United States Prox-1 Georgia Institute of Technology Low Earth Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
United States ARMADILLO UT Austin Low Earth Technology demonstration 23 August 2022[153] Successful
United States BRICSat-2 United States Naval Academy Low Earth Technology demonstration / Amateur radio 20 April 2022[154] Successful[155][156]
United States E-TBEx A NASA Low Earth Atmospheric 9 March 2021[157] Successful
United States E-TBEx B NASA Low Earth Atmospheric 22 February 2021[158] Successful
United States FalconSAT-7 USAFA Low Earth Technology demonstration 2 July 2021[159] Spacecraft failure[160]
United States LEO Cal Poly Low Earth Technology demonstration 28 October 2021[161] Successful
United States LightSail 2 The Planetary Society Low Earth Technology demonstration 17 November 2022[162] Successful
United States PSAT2 United States Naval Academy Low Earth Amateur radio 15 February 2023[163] Successful
United States StangSat Merritt Island High School Low Earth Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
United States TEPCE × 2 NRL Low Earth Technology demonstration 1 February 2020[164] Successful
STP-2 carries multiple cubesats and other small payloads for NASA, NOAA, The Planetary Society and others in addition to the primary mission which consists of multiple U.S. Air Force payloads.
29 June
04:30[165]
United States Electron "Make It Rain" New Zealand Mahia LC-1A United States Rocket Lab
United States BlackSky Global 3[166] BlackSky Global Low Earth Earth observation In orbit Operational
Australia ACRUX-1 Melbourne Space Program Low Earth Education 17 June 2022[167] Successful
Mexico Painani 1[168] SEDENA Low Earth Technology demonstration 14 January 2023[169] Successful
United States Prometheus 2-7 USSOCOM Low Earth Technology demonstration 20 May 2022[170] Successful
United States Prometheus 2-9 USSOCOM Low Earth Technology demonstration 6 June 2022[171] Successful
United States SpaceBEE 8 Swarm Technologies Low Earth Communications 26 April 2021[172] Successful
United States SpaceBEE 9 Swarm Technologies Low Earth Communications 16 December 2021[173] Successful

July

[edit]
5 July
05:41[174]
Russia Soyuz-2.1b / Fregat-M Russia Vostochny Site 1S Russia Roscosmos
Russia Meteor-M №2-2 Roscosmos Low Earth (SSO) Meteorology In orbit Operational[175]
United States CarboNIX Exolaunch Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
United Kingdom DoT-1 SSTL Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
Finland ICEYE X4 ICEYE Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbit Operational
Finland ICEYE X5 ICEYE Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbit Operational
Russia AmurSat Amur State University Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
Germany BeeSat × 4 (10-13) Technische Universität Berlin Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
Germany BeeSat 9 Technische Universität Berlin Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
Germany D-Star One EXOCONNECT German Orbital Systems Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbit Operational[175]
Germany D-Star One LightSat German Orbital Systems Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbit Operational
United States El Camino Real[176] Momentus Space Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbit Spacecraft failure[177]
Thailand JAISAT 1 RAST Low Earth (SSO) Amateur radio In orbit Operational
United States Lemur-2 × 8 Spire Global Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation
SIGINT
In orbit Operational
Czech Republic Lucky-7 SkyFox Labs Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
Germany MOVE-2b[178] TUM Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbit Operational[175]
France MTCube (ROBUSTA 1C) University of Montpellier Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
Israel NSLSat 1 NSLComm Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
Sweden Germany Denmark Italy SEAM 2.0 KTH / AAC Clyde Space / GomSpace / Kayser Italia Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
Germany SONATE University of Würzburg Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
Russia Sokrat Moscow State University Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
Estonia TTÜ101 Tallinn University of Technology Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
Ecuador UTE-Ecuador Universidad Tecnológica Equinoccial Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
Russia VDNH-80 Moscow State University / VDNKh Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
10 July
17:14[179][180][181]
Russia Soyuz-2-1v / Volga Russia Plesetsk Site 43/4 Russia RVSN RF
Russia Kosmos 2535 VKS Low Earth Satellite inspection In orbit Operational[182]
Russia Kosmos 2536 VKS Low Earth Satellite inspection In orbit Operational
Russia Kosmos 2537 VKS Low Earth Radar calibration 7 October 2023[183] Successful
Russia Kosmos 2538 VKS Low Earth Radar calibration In orbit Operational
11 July
01:53:03[184]
Europe Vega VV15 France Kourou ELV France Arianespace
United Arab Emirates Falcon Eye 1 (fr)[186] UAE Armed Forces Low Earth IMINT (Reconnaissance) 11 July Launch failure
Possibly an ignition failure of the second stage.[184] Later investigation findings showed the failure mostly traced into a structural failure on the second stage's forward dome resulting from higher temperatures.[185]
13 July
12:30:57[187]
Russia Proton-M / DM-03 Kazakhstan Baikonur Site 81/24 Russia Roscosmos
Russia Germany Spektr-RG[188] IKI RAN
Max Planck Institute
Sun–Earth L2, halo orbit X-ray astronomy In orbit Operational[189]
Russian–German high-energy astrophysics space observatory. Launching to L2.
20 July
16:28:20[191]
Russia Soyuz-FG Kazakhstan Baikonur Site 1/5 Russia Roscosmos
Russia Soyuz MS-13 / 59S Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) Expedition 60/61 6 February 2020 Successful
Crewed flight with three cosmonauts.[190]
22 July
09:13[193]
India GSLV Mk III M1 India Satish Dhawan SLP India ISRO
India Chandrayaan-2 ISRO Selenocentric Lunar orbiter In orbit Operational
India Vikram ISRO Selenocentric Lunar lander In orbit Landing Failure
India Pragyan ISRO Selenocentric Lunar rover In orbit Landing Failure
Chandrayaan-2 Mission.The lander crashed on the lunar surface and broke into pieces during powered descent. The Orbiter remains operational.[192]
25 July
05:00[195]
China Hyperbola-1 China Jiuquan LS-95A China i-Space
China CAS-7B[196] CAMSAT Low Earth Amateur radio 6 August[197] Successful
China Demonstration payload[198] CAMSAT Low Earth Technology demonstration, boilerplate 26 July[199] Successful
Maiden flight of Hyperbola-1.[13][194]
25 July
22:01:56[202]
United States Falcon 9 Block 5 F9-073 United States Cape Canaveral SLC-40 United States SpaceX
United States SpaceX CRS-18 NASA Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics 27 August Successful
United States RFTSat Northwest Nazarene University Low Earth Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
Egypt NARSSCube-2 NARSS Low Earth Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
United States ORCA-1 DARPA Low Earth Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
RFTSat, NARSSCube-2, and ORCA are carried in CRS-18 to ISS.[200][201] They were placed in SlingShot Deployer on Cygnus NG-11 hatch bulkhead.[95] They were deployed into orbit by SlingShot Deployer on 7 August 2019 after the departure of Cygnus NG-11 from the ISS. The upper stage has introduced a Grey Band on this mission.
26 July
03:57[205]
China Long March 2C 2C-Y37[206] China Xichang LC-3[206] China CASC
China Yaogan 30-05 01 CAS Low Earth Reconnaissance In orbit Operational
China Yaogan 30-05 02 CAS Low Earth Reconnaissance In orbit Operational
China Yaogan 30-05 03 CAS Low Earth Reconnaissance In orbit Operational
Grid fins located on the interstage of the rocket are being used to test first stage landing zone control and recovery technologies.[203][204]
30 July
05:56[207]
Russia Soyuz-2.1a / Fregat-M Russia Plesetsk Site 43/4 Russia RVSN RF
Russia Meridian 8 (18L) VKS Molniya Communications (military) In orbit Operational
31 July
12:10:46[208]
Russia Soyuz-2.1a Kazakhstan Baikonur Site 31/6 Russia Roscosmos
Russia Progress MS-12 / 73P Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics 29 November Successful

August

[edit]
5 August
21:56[209]
Russia Proton-M / Briz-M Kazakhstan Baikonur Site 81/24 Russia RVSN RF
Russia Blagovest-14L VKS Geosynchronous Communications (military) In orbit Operational
Fourth Blagovest satellite launch, completing the initial Blagovest satellite constellation.[209]
6 August
19:30[210]
Europe Ariane 5 ECA VA249 France Kourou ELA-3 France Arianespace
Europe EDRS-C[211] / United Kingdom HYLAS-3 ESA / Avanti Geosynchronous Communications In orbit Operational
United States Intelsat 39 Intelsat Geosynchronous Communications In orbit Operational
6 August
23:23[212]
United States Falcon 9 Block 5 F9-074 United States Cape Canaveral SLC-40 United States SpaceX
Israel AMOS 17[213][214] Spacecom Geosynchronous Communications In orbit Operational
The launch was free of charge for Spacecom as compensation for AMOS-6's destruction on 1 September 2016. The booster, B1047, was expended.
8 August
10:13[215]
United States Atlas V 551 AV-084 United States Cape Canaveral SLC-41 United States ULA
United States USA-292 (AEHF-5) [216] U.S. Air Force Geosynchronous Communications (military) In orbit Operational
United States TDO-1[215] U.S. Air Force Highly elliptical Space debris tracking 30 December 2022[217] Successful
17 August
04:11[14]
China Jielong 1 China Jiuquan LS-95A China CALT
China Tianqi-2[218] Guodian Gaoke Low Earth Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
China Qian Sheng-1 01 (QS1-01)[218][219][220] Qian Sheng Exploration Low Earth Earth observation, communications In orbit Operational
China Xingshidai-5[221] ADASpace[222] Low Earth Remote sensing In orbit Operational
Maiden flight of Jielong 1 (also known as Smart Dragon 1). First launch for the Qian Sheng satellite constellation.
19 August
12:03[225]
China Long March 3B/E 3B-Y58[226] China Xichang LC-2 China CASC
China Chinasat 18[227] China Satcom Intended: Geosynchronous
Actual: GTO
Communications In orbit Spacecraft failure
Spacecraft apparently failed to deploy solar panels after stage separation. It remains inoperable in geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).[223][224] The satellite has been declared as total loss by the Chinese government.
19 August
12:12[228]
United States Electron "Look Ma, No Hands"[229] New Zealand Mahia LC-1A United States Rocket Lab
United States BlackSky Global 4 BlackSky Global Low Earth Earth observation In orbit Operational
France BRO 1[230] UnseenLabs Low Earth ELINT In orbit Operational
United States Pearl White × 2[231] Air Force Space Command Low Earth Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
22 August
03:38:31[235]
Russia Soyuz-2.1a Kazakhstan Baikonur Site 31/6 Russia Roscosmos
Russia Soyuz MS-14 / 60S Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) Test flight / ISS logistics 6 September
21:32[236]
Successful
Uncrewed flight to certify Soyuz-2.1a for crew transport missions[232][233][234] with FEDOR (Skybot F-850) robot on board. First docking attempt on 24 August was aborted due to an issue on ISS, second attempt on 27 August was successful. Delivered Mini-EUSO telescope to ISS.
22 August
13:06[238]
United States Delta IV M+ (4,2)U D-384 United States Cape Canaveral SLC-37B United States ULA
United States GPS IIIA-02 Magellan U.S. Air Force Medium Earth Navigation In orbit Operational
Last flight of the Delta IV "single stick" M+ series (Delta IV Heavy will continue flying). Named after Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.[237]
29 August
(ground test)[241]
Iran Safir-1B[242] Iran Semnan LP-1 Iran ISA
Iran Nahid 1[243] Iranian Space Research Center Low Earth Communications N/A Rocket destroyed prior to launch[240]
Rocket apparently exploded on the launch pad.[239] According to the Iranian Ministry of ICT, the Nahid 1 satellite had yet to be delivered to the launch site.[240]
30 August
14:00[244]
Russia Rokot / Briz-KM Russia Plesetsk Site 133/3 Russia RVSN RF
Russia Geo-IK-2 No.3 (Musson-2) VKS Low Earth Geodesy In orbit Operational
30 August
23:41[245]
China Kuaizhou 1A Y10[246] China Jiuquan LS-95A China ExPace
China Taiji-1 (KX-09)[247][248] CAS Low Earth (SSO) Microgravity science
Gravitational-wave astronomy
In orbit Operational
China Xiaoxiang 1-07[245] Tianyi Research Institute Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbit Operational

September

[edit]
12 September
03:26[249]
China Long March 4B 4B-Y39[133] China Taiyuan LC-9 China CASC
China Ziyuan I-02D PLA Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbit Operational
China Ice Pathfinder (BNU-1)[250] Beijing Normal University Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbit Operational
China Taurus 1 (Jinniuzuo-1) Shanghai Aerospace Science and Technology Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
19 September
06:42[251]
China Long March 11 Y8[39] China Jiuquan LS-95A China CASC
China Zhuhai-1 OHS 3A–3D[252] Zhuhai Orbita Control Engineering Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbit Operational
China Zhuhai-1 OVS 3A[253] Zhuhai Orbita Control Engineering Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbit Operational
22 September
21:10[254]
China Long March 3B / YZ-1 3B-Y65[21] China Xichang LC-2 China CASC
China BeiDou-3 M23 (Beidou-47)[255] CNSA Medium Earth Navigation In orbit Operational
China BeiDou-3 M24 (Beidou-48)[255] CNSA Medium Earth Navigation In orbit Operational
24 September
16:05[257]
Japan H-IIB Japan Tanegashima LA-Y2 Japan MHI
Japan HTV-8 JAXA Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics 3 November
02:09[258]
Successful
Egypt NARSSCube-1 NARSS Low Earth Technology demonstration 20 December 2021[259] Successful
Japan AQT-D University of Tokyo Low Earth Technology demonstration 20 April 2022[260] Successful
Rwanda RWASAT-1 Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority Low Earth Technology demonstration 27 April 2022[261] Successful
The first launch attempt on 10 September, 21:33 UTC, was postponed due to a fire on the launch pad. NARSSCube-1, AQT-D, and RWASAT-1 were carried to ISS inside HTV-8 for later deployment into orbit from the ISS. RWASAT-1 was Rwanda's first satellite.[256] The satellites were deployed into orbit from the ISS on 20 November 2019.
25 September
00:54[263]
China Long March 2D 2D-Y43[206] China Jiuquan SLS-2 China CASC
China Yunhai-1 02 SAST Low Earth (SSO) Meteorology In orbit Spacecraft damaged; operational status uncertain
Struck by a piece of space debris on 18 March 2021, eighteen months after launch. 37 associated pieces of debris have being tracked from the collision. The source of the debris was a piece of the Zenit-2 rocket that launched Tselina-2 in 1996. The satellite appears to have survived the encounter, though its operational status remains uncertain.[262]
25 September
13:57:43[264]
Russia Soyuz-FG Kazakhstan Baikonur Site 1/5 Russia Roscosmos
Russia Soyuz MS-15 / 61S Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) Expedition 61/62 17 April 2020
05:16
Successful
Crewed flight with three cosmonauts. Last flight of Soyuz-FG and last launch from Baikonur Site 1 ("Gagarin's Start"); replaced by Soyuz-2.1a launching from Site 31 for crewed missions starting with Soyuz MS-16 in April 2020.
26 September
07:46[265]
Russia Soyuz-2.1b / Fregat-M Russia Plesetsk Site 43/4 Russia RVSN RF
Russia EKS-3 (Tundra 13L)[266] VKS Molniya Early warning In orbit Operational

October

[edit]
4 October
18:51[267]
China Long March 4C 4C-Y33 China Taiyuan LC-9 China CASC
China Gaofen 10R CAST Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbit Operational
Replacement for the Gaofen 10 satellite lost on 31 August 2016.
9 October
10:17[270]
Russia Proton-M / Briz-M P4 Kazakhstan Baikonur Site 200/39 Russia United States ILS
France Eutelsat 5 West B Eutelsat Geosynchronous Communications In orbit Operational
United States MEV-1 Northrop Grumman Geosynchronous Satellite servicing In orbit Operational
MEV-1 successfully rendezvoused with Intelsat 901 on 25 February 2020.[268] MEV-1 will extend Intelsat 901's operational life by five years through in-orbit station-keeping.[269]
11 October
02:00[271]
United States Pegasus-XL F44 United States Stargazer, CCAFS Skid Strip United States Northrop Grumman
United States ICON NASA Low Earth Ionospheric research In orbit Operational
17 October
01:22[272]
United States Electron "As The Crow Flies"[273] New Zealand Mahia LC-1A United States Rocket Lab
United States Palisade[274] Astro Digital Low Earth (Polar) Technology demonstration In orbit Operational
17 October
15:21[275]
China Long March 3B/E 3B-Y57 China Xichang LC-3 China CASC
China TJS-4 CNSA Geosynchronous Communications
SIGINT
In orbit Operational